S.E.A.T.O. Was Formed Ten Years Ago

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30540, 8 September 1964, Page 13

S.E.A.T.O. Was Formed Ten Years Ago

The South-East Asia Treaty Organisation was formed 10 years ago today. The following statement explaining the organisation, its achievements, and its objectives has been contributed to “The Press.”

At the end of the Second World War the world had hoped that the foundation of the United Nations, based on agreement among the victorious powers, would end the dangers of international strife. Great Power agreement was an unattainable ideal, however, and countries turned for their protection from those provisions of the United Nations Charter that were designed to establish a universal system of collective security to those permitting regional arrangements for the maintenance of peace and security.’

At the end of the war there was an increasing feeling among the countries of Southeast Asia and other nations interested in the stability of the region that there was a need for an alliance to contribute towards that stability and to resist the threat of communist expansionism. The need became more pressing after the communist takeover of mainland China and the consequent stepping up of communist pressure in IndoChina. 1954 Action In the first months of 1954 a number of governments became concerned at the progress of the war in IndoChina and the deteriorating situation in South-east Asia, and the United States, the United Kingdom and France considered the establishment of a regional collective security system. The New Zealand Minister of External Affairs said in April of that year that his Government welcomed this proposal and was prepared to participate. After consultation, eight governments Australia. France, New Zealand, Pakistan, the Philippines, Thailand, the United Kingdom and the United States—agreed to attend a conference to consider a collective defence scheme ; for South-east Asia. On September 8, in Manila, they I signed the South-east Asia i Collective Defence Treaty. The first meeting of the council envisaged by the treaty, comprising the Foreign Ministers of ail the signatory governments, was held in Bangkok in February, 1955. Since then the council has met on eight occasions. At its first meeting the council established a body known as the council representatives to carry on its functions between council meetings. Council representatives are usually the heads of their countries’ diplomatic missions in Bangkok. New Zealand is at present represented by its Ambassador to Thailand (Sir Stephen Weir). In 1957, a secretary-general, deputy-secretary-general and permanent civil secretariat i were appointed in Bangkok. The present Secretary-General is Mr Konthi Suphamonghon and the Deputy Secretary-Gen-eral is Mr D. A. Wraight of New Zealand. There is an international staff of 44 officers, including five New Zealanders. Defensive Alliance

S.E.A.T.O. is a defensive alliance. Neither in concept nor in structure is it fitted for a major role in the fields of economic, social or cultural development, for which purpose other well-established and experienced organisations exist But the signatories to the Manila Treaty gave explicit recognition to the fact that the security and wellbeing of a nation depends on more than ability to repel an aggressor. Economic and social as well as military objectives were written into the treaty. S.E.A.T.O. has developed a range of economic and educational activities which represent a significant undertaking. In economic projects the principle of assistance on a bilateral basis has normally been followed, but projects have generally attracted support from most member governments. All members have, for example, contributed to the S.E.A.T.O. Graduate School of Engineering which was established in Bangkok in September. 1959. . New Zealand for four years provided the professor of hydrology and makes an annual payment of approximately £l2OO to. the scholarship fund. New Zealand has for the last two years also maintained a mobile medical unit headed by a New Zealand doctor for the Thai-S.E.A.T.O. Community Development Project which has been set up in North-east Thailand. An exchange programme provides for research fellowships, post-graduate and un-der-graduate scholarships. These are intended primarily for the Asian members of the organisation, but New Zealanders who have been awarded research fellowships inti

elude Dr. F. J. West, Dr. T. T. Barrow, Mr J. Stackhouse, and Dr. R. S. Duff.

The Manila Treaty speaks not only of maintaining and developing individual and collective capacity to resist armed attack but also preventing and countering “subversive activities directed from without” against the territorial integrity and political stability of countries protected by the treaty.

It has become clear that the principal threat to the treaty area at the present time is from indirect aggressionsubversion by foreign agents developing into wide-scale armed insurgency. In addition to stepping up their economic and social development, member governments have been forced to take more direct measures against the danger of subversion. These are primarily a national responsibility. Council representatives are, however, charged with responsibility for identifying subversion in its various forms, assessing the nature of the threat it poses, and suggesting

ways in which that threat may be met. Member countries take action in many ways in pursuance of their Manila treaty obligations. Economic aid, for instance, furthers the objectives of the treaty even though it may not be given through S.E.A.T.O. It is not necessary for action taken under the Manila treaty to have been authorised by the S.E.A.T.O. Council. The obligations of the signatories to the treaty, exist independently of the council. In some cases it is appropriate for members to take action collectively within 5.E.A.T.0., in others it is appropriate for action within the framework of the Manila treaty to be taken bilaterally or in some other multilateral forum. Forces For Thailand In May, 1962, following a serious violation of the ceasefire in Laos by the Pathet Lao and in response to an invitation by the Thai Government, the United States, Australia, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand sent forces to Thailand.